> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/masquerading-as-a-default-local-account.md).
# Masquerading as a default local account
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | Requires one of the following data sources:
Windows Event Collector OR XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)
|
| Detection Modules | Identity Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hide Artifacts: Hidden Users (T1564.002), Valid Accounts: Default Accounts (T1078.001), Masquerading (T1036) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
A user created a new local account with the name of a default local account, such as Guest and DefaultAccount. An attacker may create a user with these known names to evade detection.
### Attacker's Goals
An attacker is attempting to evade detection.
### Investigative actions
* Check what rights and permissions were granted to the new user.
* Verify the action with the user who created the new account.
* Follow actions and activities of the newly created default account.
* Monitor the addition of the user to different groups.
### Variations
Masquerading as a default local account for the first time
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hide Artifacts: Hidden Users (T1564.002), Valid Accounts: Default Accounts (T1078.001), Masquerading (T1036) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A user created a new local account with the name of a default local account, such as Guest and DefaultAccount. An attacker may create a user with these known names to evade detection.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to evade detection.
**Investigative actions**
* Check what rights and permissions were granted to the new user.
* Verify the action with the user who created the new account.
* Follow actions and activities of the newly created default account.
* Monitor the addition of the user to different groups.
Potential masquerading as a power user account
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hide Artifacts: Hidden Users (T1564.002), Valid Accounts: Default Accounts (T1078.001), Masquerading (T1036) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A user created a new local account with the name of a privileged local account. This user does not regularly create accounts. An attacker may create a user with these known names to evade detection.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to evade detection.
**Investigative actions**
* Check what rights and permissions were granted to the new user.
* Verify the action with the user who created the new account.
* Follow actions and activities of the newly created default account.
* Monitor the addition of the user to different groups.
Masquerading as a default Administrator account
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hide Artifacts: Hidden Users (T1564.002), Valid Accounts: Default Accounts (T1078.001), Masquerading (T1036) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
A user created a new local account with the name of a default local account, such as Guest and DefaultAccount. An attacker may create a user with these known names to evade detection.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to evade detection.
**Investigative actions**
* Check what rights and permissions were granted to the new user.
* Verify the action with the user who created the new account.
* Follow actions and activities of the newly created default account.
* Monitor the addition of the user to different groups.
---
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